Cele calls on corrupt officers to leave police force

Media Statement
02 May 2010

SAPS National Commissioner Bheki Cele has called on corrupt police officers to leave the force as they tarnish the good image of the police.

Cele was speaking at a funeral service of two of the three Ammersfoort police officers who were murdered last week Sunday by unknown gunmen who were suspected to bomb the local ATM.

He said corrupt officers made it difficult for the police in general to do their work as some committed crime while wearing police uniform.

“We are proud to be in this funeral because these boys died while on duty. They were real heroes because they remembered their oaths that they would serve and die for their country.

“They had an option of soliciting a bribe from their attackers and allowe them to continue bombing the bank. If they had done that they would probably be alive today, but they sacrificed their lives and confronted the criminals,” said Cele.

The three killed officers were doing their normal crime prevention patrols in Ammersfoort town when they spotted a vehicle they suspected of crime. The drivers of that vehicle refused to be search and fled away in a Toyota Conquest and later came back. The officers approached them again; they were however shot and killed.

“I am dedicating this funeral service to these fallen heroes. The police should also allow them to sleep in peace by choosing either to continue the fight against crime. When people go home to sleep, they do that because they trust that the police will protect them,” said Cele.

He explained that the police service should be “cleaned” as it is infiltrated by criminals adding that South Africa rather have few or no police officers at all.

He said he was concerned that Mpumalanga province had too much corrupt police officers.

“This province is horrible when it comes to corrupt police officers. Organized Crime Unit in this province fight each other because they want to steal exhibit for themselves. One day you arrest people with 13 bags of dagga, the next day you find only three.

“I am calling on the communities to assist government by exposing corrupt officers. If they do not like the beautiful blue uniform, we do not mind to give them an orange one. These boys were killed by ten thugs for a mere R250 000 that was loaded in the ATM,” said Cele.

He said there were well-over 10 000 police officers in jail throughout the country.

Meanwhile Mpumalanga Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Sibongile Manana applauded the good relationship between the community and the police in the province especially in Ammersfoort.

She said the province was becoming unfortunately more violent judging by a number of assault cases reported. Police officers spend at least 40 percent of crime prevention work focusing on assault related cases.

“It is unfortunate that we are only appreciating the work of these fallen heroes when they are dead. Usually police officers are not appreciated, but when there are problems, they are the first ones to be contacted for assistance,” said MEC Manana.

The MEC added that this year, she would seriously be engaging with religious leaders on moral regeneration matters.